There's something to be said for a tried-and-true relationship. And the George E. Fern Company has just that in its 32-year partnership with the Ohio Michigan Equipment Dealers Association (OMEDA), the association that sponsors Power Show Ohio.

"Having worked with the George Fern Company for the entire run of the show really helps. They know what to expect, and they've really become an extension of our staff. That certainly makes my job easier," said Dennis Alford, OMEDA's Power Show manager. One of the largest indoor power equipment shows in the nation, this year's Power Show Ohio, January 25-27, covered more than 300,000 sq. ft. at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus.

The challenge for the George Fern Company each year is that the exhibits are in four different buildings on the property. Tent walkways are set up between the buildings so the 36,000 attendees can stay out of the weather.

"We work hard to make sure all of the equipment - and it's a lot of heavy agricultural, construction and outdoor power equipment - ends up in the right building. It takes a lot of manpower and a lot of coordination," said Fern account executive Carolyn Hodge. "But we've been doing it for so long that it's like a well-oiled machine."

Alford said he goes into the show each year with a certain level of confidence because he knows the George E. Fern Company will be there with the equipment and manpower they need and will always do a good job. "It's just an unspoken relationship . or partnership . that we've developed," he said.

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Timing is everything during set-up at the House-Hasson Hardware Dealer Market, and the George E. Fern Company never fails to hammer out their job on time at this twice-a-year event. At the most recent market, held at Opryland Hotel in January, the Fern Company set up nearly 400 booths in a four-hour period. "They have to get all the booths set up by noon so freight deliveries can come in, and they've never failed to get it set up on time," said Allen Winn, vice president of merchandising for House-Hasson.

After noon, freight deliveries begin. Thirteen to 14 trailer loads of small packages of hardware items arrive and must be delivered to booths on that same day.

According to Fern account executive Dick Shelley, he and his team have a lot of one-on-one contact with the exhibitors at this show. "They really make them feel welcome, and that's a valuable benefit to us," said Winn. The next House-Hasson Hardware Market is set for this summer in Gatlinburg. In 2003, House-Hasson will move to the new Knoxville Convention Center where they will have over 500 booths. Get ready, George Fern Company, the clock is ticking ...

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Charlotte Convention Center Puts on Quite a Show

There is but one convention center in the southeast that uses light, space, glass and air as the very framework of its design.

These 850,000 square feet of sunlight and southern hospitality are set in the gracious city of Charlotte, which has evolved into a major "meeting powerhouse." The convention center boasts 280,000 sq. ft. of prime exhibit space featuring soaring ceilings and minimal column interruption, 46 meeting rooms, an elegant 35,000 sq. ft. ballroom, a café and catering services with nationally acclaimed chefs and much more.

From its gracefully arched entrances to the glass concourses beyond, the convention center was designed to be elegant and inviting. Acclaimed for its innovative architecture and convenient flow, the center combines vibrant colors and bright, open spaces that lend a friendly atmosphere and a sense of the city outside.

Its location in Charlotte's vibrant Uptown district puts the convention center in the heart of the action. Convention-goers will find attractions, restaurants, shopping, nightlife, hotels, performing arts and more just a short walk away.

With the construction of a new convention-style Westin Hotel adjacent to the convention center and four more hotels under development nearby, the number of hotel rooms within walking distance to the convention center will soon increase from 2,757 to 4,117.

The Center's innovative design draws meeting planners to the Center, but it's the attention to detail and unfailing service that keeps clients and visitors coming back.

For information, contact the Charlotte Convention Center, 704-339-6000, or the George E. Fern Company's Charlotte office, 704-509-0901.

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The George E. Fern Company's creative graphic and custom design work is not only on display at tradeshows, but at major international events and retail chains. Corporate clients who need graphics and displays can depend on the Fern Company from design to construction to tear-down.

Using state-of-the-art equipment and a team of talented designers, the George E. Fern Company will help exhibitors and corporate clients achieve high visibility and project a professional image.

For Midwest-based Birch Telecom, the George E. Fern Company provided graphic and display products and shipped them to tradeshows throughout the United States.

For Accessory Exchange and Accessory Network, New York City handbag and accessory manufacturers, the Fern Company designed point-of-purchase displays and other materials that are used to market the products in Wal-Mart stores.

Mericom Corporation is another client for this design team. From the initial graphics to banners, table throws, towers and displays Mericom depends on the Fern Company for a professional image.

An Olympic-Quality Accomplishment "The Tradition of Speed" - the theme for the graphics and displays the George E. Fern Company prepared for Sprint's presence at the Winter Olympics - could very well be the Fern Company's theme, especially for this project. Within approximately two months the planning, design and construction were completed for decorating the grounds in and around the Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah, the site of much of the 2002 Winter Olympics.

The George E. Fern Company handles Sprint's sponsorship events including tradeshows, NASCAR and this year's sponsorship of the U.S. ski and snowboard Olympics teams. For the Sprint Forum Compound at the Olympics, the Fern Company created banners for concert stages and 48 light poles; signage for Jumbotrons; 17 outdoor, 8-foot displays featuring a timeline of the ski team's history; photo-op displays and a 30' x 40' structure with flooring and heating as a display room for Sprint's technology and services.

 

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The George E. Fern Company serves as the official exposition contractor for more than 900 events annually. Here is a partial list of recent contracts.

• International Association of Chiefs of Police - Annually in October/November. In 2001, the show will be in Toronto, Canada; Minneapolis, MN, in 2002 and Philadelphia, PA, in 2003.

• Ohio Safety and Health Congress Expo - Columbus, OH, in April, 2001.

• Association of Iron and Steel Engineers - Annually in September. Cleveland, OH, in 2001 and
Nashville, TN, in 2002.

• North Carolina Manufactured Housing - Charlotte, NC, in September, 2001.

• National Association of Chemical Distributors - Annually in September. Charlotte, NC, in 2001 and in Kansas City, MO, in 2002.

• Southern Ideal Home Shows - April and September, 2001, in Charlotte, NC.

• Southern Building Material Association - Charlotte, NC, in February 2001.

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